Spin-on filter with external threads and methods

ABSTRACT

A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head includes a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction is operably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from the housing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. A filter assembly includes a filter arrangement and a filter head. The filter arrangement is removably secured to the filter head by a threaded connection between the sleeve and the filter head. A system includes an engine utilizing a liquid and a filter assembly in fluid communication with the engine to filter the liquid. Methods of making filter arrangements include utilizing structures characterized above.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/373,209, filed Dec. 8, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,220,339which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/995,937,filed Dec. 2, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,347 which is aNational Stage Patent Application of PCT International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2009/046139, filed 3 Jun. 2009 in the name ofDonaldson Company, Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for thedesignation of all countries except the U.S., and Brian Tucker, BradleyS. Honermann, Gary H. Gift, Brent A. Gulsvig, Kent Mehlhop, John R.Hacker, and Mark S. Emery, all citizens of the U.S., applicants for thedesignation of the U.S. only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/058,337, filed Jun. 3, 2008 and whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extentappropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosedapplications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure concerns filter arrangements and methods. In particular,this disclosure concerns spin-on filter assemblies for filteringliquids, such as fuel, lubrication fluids, such as oil, and hydraulicfluids.

BACKGROUND

Conventional spin-on filter designs use a thread plate at the interfaceend of the filter assembly. This thread plate has flow passages to allowflow in and out of the filter assembly. In addition, there is often anattaching feature near the center line of the filter assembly wherethreads on the thread plate engage threads on the filter head.

An alternate design is what is sometimes referred to as a “big mouth”filter. In such “big mouth” filters, the thread plate is replaced with athreaded ring. The attaching feature is near the outside diameter of thefilter assembly. This design reduces the overall amount of material andis structurally stronger than the thread plate design. The big mouthdesign has the flexibility of using either internal or external threads.Internal threads are typically used on applications that accept either aspin-on or a bowl/cartridge design. The threaded ring mentioned above,uses internal threads.

Using external threads for a spin-on filter presents technical issuesbecause the typical seaming process used with a threaded ring can not beused. Improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head isprovided. The filter arrangement includes a housing having a surroundingwall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to theinterior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surroundingwall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction isoperably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from thehousing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent tothe housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall.The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleevedefines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mountwith the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to thefilter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of thesurrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve tocreate a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is securedto the filter head.

In another aspect, a filter assembly is provided including a filterarrangement, as characterized above, and a filter head. The filterarrangement is removably secured to the filter head by a threadedconnection between the sleeve and the filter head.

In another aspect, a system is provided including an engine utilizing aliquid and a filter assembly, as characterized above, in fluidcommunication with the engine to filter the liquid.

In another aspect, a method of making a filter arrangement includesproviding a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interiorvolume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and anopposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and aninterior. Next, there is a step of orienting a filter media constructionwithin the interior volume. Next, there is a step of orienting a sleeve,distinct from the housing, around the exterior of the surrounding walladjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along thesurrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. Theexterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arrangedto removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement issecured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against theexterior of the surrounding wall. Next, there is a step of securing thesleeve to the housing. The method also includes providing a first sealmember oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with the filterhead, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filterarrangement, constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, thecross section being taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the filter housing and sleeveof FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filter housing of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of detail A of FIG.5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail B of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail C of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of detail B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of detail C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of afilter arrangement, constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is the cross-sectional view of the filter arrangement of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an end portion of the filter housing ofFIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail B of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the filterhousing, the sleeve and a seal member utilized in the arrangement ofFIGS. 12-15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the filter arrangement of FIGS. 12-16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa filter arrangement, constructed in accordance of principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is the cross-sectional view of the filter arrangement of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the portion shown indetail B of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an exploded, perspective view of the housing and filtersleeve of FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the filter housing and sleeve of FIGS.18 and 21;

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the filter housing of FIGS. 18, 19, and21;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a filterarrangement constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the cross-section of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an exploded, perspective view of components of the filterarrangement of FIGS. 24 and 25, but without showing the filter mediaconstruction;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the filterarrangement depicted in FIGS. 24 and 25;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of another embodiment ofa filter arrangement, constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 29 is the cross-sectional view of the filter arrangement of FIG.28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the filterhousing, before the remaining components of the filter arrangement areattached;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of detail B of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of another embodiment ofa filter arrangement, constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 33 is the cross-sectional view of the filter arrangement of FIG.32;

FIG. 34 is a partial, perspective view of the filter arrangement ofFIGS. 32 and 33;

FIG. 35 is a partial, exploded, perspective view of selected componentsof the filter arrangement of FIGS. 32-34;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail B of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 a perspective view of a portion of the filter housing of FIGS.32 and 33;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail B of FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail A of FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged, perspective view of detail C of FIG. 35;

FIG. 41 is a schematic, side-elevational view of a filter assembly,including a filter head and a filter arrangement, constructed inaccordance with principles of this disclosure; and

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of a filter system utilizing a filterassembly constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, a filter arrangement in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure uses a drawn metal housing, a threaded sleeve and seals. Thethreaded sleeve is slid over the outer diameter of the housing and issecured, in various techniques, to the housing. There is at least oneseal on the filter arrangement to prevent external leaks between thefilter arrangement and the filter head. In some implementations, morethan one seal member is utilized.

A. Example Constructions

In general, a filter arrangement is shown at reference numeral 20. Thefilter arrangement 20 is designed for threadably securing to a filterhead 22 (FIG. 38). In general, the filter arrangement 20 is threadedonto the filter head 22 for operable use. When it is time to service thefilter arrangement 20, the filter arrangement 20 is removed from thefilter head 22 by unscrewing or unthreading the filter arrangement 20from the head 22. The filter head 20 includes a housing 24. The housing24 is typically a drawn metal housing having generally a thin-walledconstruction. The housing 24 includes a surrounding wall 26 defining aninterior volume 28.

At one end of the housing 24 is an open mouth 30 providing access to theinterior volume 28. Opposite of the open mouth 30 is an end 32. In someembodiments, such as FIGS. 1-11, the end 32 defines an opening 24adapted to receive other structure such as a drain valve. In otherembodiments, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 12-39, the end 32 is aclosed end and is not operably openable.

Within the interior volume 28 of the housing 24 is a filter mediaconstruction 36 (or filter cartridge 36). The filter media construction36 may include pleated media 38 arranged in a cylindrical form to definean open filter interior 40. A first end cap 42 is secured to one end ofthe pleated media 38. In some arrangements, a second end cap 44 issecured to an opposite end of the pleated media 38. The filter mediaconstruction 36 may also include an inner filter support or liner 46,extending between end cap 42 and second end cap 44, and lining the openfilter interior 40.

In general, liquid to be filtered, flowing in a forward-flow manner,flows from a volume 48 between the wall 26 and the pleated media 38,through the media 38, and into the open filter interior 40. From there,the filtered liquid flows out through an aperture 50 in the first endcap 42. From there the liquid is directed into the filter head 22, whereit is then directed to downstream components.

In example embodiments illustrated, the filter media construction 36further includes a filter element seal member 52 to provide a sealbetween the unfiltered side and the filtered side of the filter mediaconstruction 36. The filter element seal member 52 will be sealedagainst a corresponding portion on the filter head 22. In the variousembodiments shown, the filter element seal member 52 is depicted as aseal ring 54 that is held within a radial groove 56 of an axiallyextending portion 58 of a first end cap 42.

In some implementations, the filter media construction 36 may furtherinclude structure to help with centering the filter media constructionwithin the housing 24. This is described below, in connection withcertain embodiments.

In general, the filter arrangement 20 includes a sleeve 60, distinctfrom the housing 24. By the term “distinct from the housing,” it ismeant that the sleeve is not made from the same piece of material as thehousing 24. While the sleeve 60 can be molded onto the housing 24, itshould be understood that the housing 24 exists as a separate piecebefore the molding process, and therefore, the sleeve 60 is distinctfrom the housing 24.

The sleeve 60 is secured to an exterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26and adjacent to the mouth 30. The surrounding wall 26 also has anopposite, interior 64. The sleeve 60 extends partially along theexterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26, generally less than half of thelength of the surrounding wall 26. The sleeve 60 has an exterior 66 andan opposite interior 68.

In general, the exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 defines mounting threads 70constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head 22,when the filter arrangement 20 is secured to the filter head 22. Thethreads 70 can be any type of conventional thread utilized in thesetypes of systems, such as Unified Screw Threads, per ANSI B1.7M-1984.The interior 68 of the sleeve 60 is generally mounted against theexterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26. The sleeve 60 is secured to thehousing 24, utilizing various techniques, as described below.

In general, the filter arrangement 20 further includes a first sealmember 72 oriented against the sleeve 60 to create a seal with thefilter head 22, when the filter arrangement 20 is secured to the filterhead 22. The first seal member 72 can be a radially directed seal member74 held by a groove 76 in the exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 such asdepicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 10, 12, 13, 28, and 29; oralternatively, the first seal member 72 can be a face seal member 78oriented on an axial end 80, such as depicted in the embodiments ofFIGS. 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, and 27.

The filter arrangement 20 can be connected to the filter head 22 to forma filter assembly 23, as shown in FIG. 41. In FIG. 42, a system is shownat 170. The system 170 includes an engine 172 utilizing a liquid. Theliquid can be, for example, lubrication, fuel, or a hydraulic fluid. Thefilter assembly 23 is in fluid communication with the engine 172 tofilter the liquid that utilized by the engine 172.

1. The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-11

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the housing surrounding wall 26 has aplurality of tabs 82 extending radially outwardly from the open mouth30. In the embodiment shown, the tabs 82 are evenly spaced about the rim84 of the mouth 30. The tabs 82 are illustrated as being curved to forma hook-shape 86, FIG. 8. The sleeve 60 has a first rim 88. When thesleeve 60 is passed over the wall 26 of the housing 24, it is movedaxially along the wall 26 until the first rim 88 engages a radiallyextending flange 90 at the mouth 30. The sleeve 60 is rotated relativeto the housing 24 until slots 92 defined by the sleeve 60 along thefirst rim 88 line up with the tabs 82.

The tabs 82 are then crimped in a radially direction toward the housing24 center line to affix the housing 24 and the threaded sleeve 60together. Crimping the tabs 82 into the slots 92 creates a mechanicallock between the housing 24 and the threaded sleeve 60, which preventsthe housing 24 from turning about its center line relative to the sleeve60 and prevents relative motion in an axial direction.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen how the sleeve 60 defines a seal gland 94along the sleeve interior 68. The seal gland 94 holds a seal member 96,which forms a radial seal 98 between and against the sleeve 60 and theexterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26.

In FIGS. 4 and 10, it can be seen how the filter media construction 36is centered in the housing 24 by a series of guides 102 that are locatedcircumferentially around the outer diameter of the first end cap 42. Theguides 102 ensure that the center line of the filter media construction36 is within acceptable tolerance of the center line of the housing 24.

In this embodiment, the filter media construction 36 is retained in thehousing 24 by crimping a lower end 104 of the housing 24 into a recessedarea 106 that is defined by the outer surface of the second endcap 44.

2. The Embodiments of FIGS. 12-17

The embodiment of FIGS. 12-17 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS.1-11, except that tabs 108 are initially in a flat shape, as opposed toa hook shape 86. Once the first rim 88 is engaged against the flange 90of the housing 24, the tabs 108 are formed or folded over, with the tabs108 lined up with the slots 92, thereby affixing the sleeve 60 to thehousing 24.

In the example embodiment of the sleeve 60 depicted in FIG. 16, thesleeve includes a plurality of ribs 103 extending longitudinally alongthe interior 68 from the seal gland 94 to a second rim 134. The ribs 103act as structural supports for the threads. They transfer the radialload on the threads to the housing 26. Ribs are used instead of a solidsection to improve moldability when making the sleeve out of plastic.

This embodiment also includes structure on the first end cap 42 to helpwith centering the filter cartridge 36 within the housing 24. In thisembodiment, the end cap 42 includes a plurality of projecting tabs 107that are between the interior 64 of the housing wall 26 and the outerdiameter of the filter media 38. The projecting tabs 107 have structurethat project axially in a direction toward the mouth 30, as well, whichcan be used to cooperate with a corresponding filter head 22.

In FIG. 15, it can be seen how, in this embodiment, the filter mediaconstruction 36 is retained in the housing 24 by a press fit between theouter edge 111 of the second end cap 44 and an inwardly extendingprojection 113 of the surrounding wall 26 of the housing 24.

3. The Embodiment of FIGS. 18-23

In this embodiment, a series of guides 114 are part of the first end cap42 and extend between an outer diameter of pleated media and theinterior 64 of the wall 26. The guides 114 are used to center the filtermedia construction 36 in the housing 24. A raised section 116 (FIG. 20)at the corner of the guides 114 are used to create an interference fitbetween the filter media construction 36 and the housing 24, allowingthe filter media construction 36 to remain with the housing 24 when thefilter arrangement 20 is removed from the filter head 22.

As with the previous designs, the sleeve 60 is slid up the housing wall26, until the first rim 88 engages against the flange 90 of the wall 26adjacent to the mouth 30. The flange 90 is formed or bent over the firstrim 88 of the sleeve 60, in a manner to clinch it or hold it to thehousing 24, such that the sleeve 60 cannot move axially relative to thehousing 24.

In this embodiment, the surrounding wall 26 defines a non-round shape,including at least one curved segment 118 and at least one curvedsegment of a larger radius or a straight segment 120. The interior 68 ofthe sleeve 60 has a non-round shape that generally matches the non-roundshape of the surrounding wall 26. This non-round shape can be a varietyof geometries, as long as it acts to resist relative rotation betweenthe sleeve 60 and the housing 24. In the embodiment shown, there is aseries of curved segments 119 and straight segments 121 symmetricallylocated around the exterior 64 of the wall 26 and interior 68 of thesleeve 60. This provides for a snug fit between the sleeve 60 andhousing 24.

With the face seal member 78 resting on the top of the flange 90, thereis no need for a seal between the interior 68 of the sleeve 60 and theexterior 62 of the wall 26, because the face seal member 78 prevents anyfluid from passing between that interface, as well as the interfacebetween the filter head 22 and the filter arrangement 20.

4. The Embodiment of FIGS. 24-27

In the embodiment of FIGS. 24-27, there is also included a collar 124and a spring 126. The spring 126 is located between the interior 64 ofthe housing 24 and the second endcap 44, to help urge the filter mediaconstruction 36 in a direction upwardly toward the mouth 30. Thefunction of the collar 124 is described further below.

In this embodiment, the surrounding wall 26 includes a shoulder 128(FIG. 27) projecting radially outwardly. The first rim 88 of the sleeve60 engages against the shoulder 128.

The surrounding wall 26 includes a plurality of radial protrusions 130extending longitudinally from adjacent the open mouth partially alongthe surrounding wall 26. The interior 68 of the sleeve 60 includes aplurality of reliefs 132. Each relief 132 extends longitudinally fromthe first rim 88 along the sleeve interior 68, with each relief 132receiving one of the protrusions 130.

The sleeve 60 includes a second rim 134 at an end opposite of the firstrim 88. The sleeve 60 defines a projection 136 extending radiallyinwardly and spaced adjacent to the second rim 134. The exterior 62 ofthe surrounding wall 26 defines a groove 138 receiving the projection136. The snap fit of projection 136 into groove 138 prevents relativeaxial motion between the sleeve 60 and the housing 24.

The collar 124 includes a radial ring 140. In the embodiment shown, theradial ring 140 is at an end of the collar 124. The collar 124 isoperably received within the open mouth 30 of the housing 24 with theradial ring 140 being engaged against the shoulder 128 of thesurrounding wall 26. The surrounding wall 26 is then bent radiallyinwardly to form bend 141 over the radial ring 140 of the collar 124.This locks the sleeve 60, housing 24, and collar 124. The interlockingof the reliefs 132 and protrusions 130 prevent relative radial motionbetween the sleeve 60 and the housing 24.

A series of tabs 142 extend from the first end cap 42 and are locatedbetween the interior 64 of the housing wall 26 and an outer diameter 38.The tabs 142 have an outer diameter that is larger than the innerdiameter of the collar 124. Therefore, the collar 124 holds the filtermedia construction 36 inside of the housing 124 during servicing, sincethe collar 124 interferes with the tabs 142.

5. The Embodiments of FIGS. 28-31

In the embodiments of FIGS. 28-31, the housing 24 is “insert molded” tothe sleeve 60. In this arrangement, the surrounding wall 26 includesflange 90 (FIG. 30) extending radially from the adjacent mouth 30. Inthis embodiment, the flange 90 defines a plurality of axial throughslots 146. The housing 24 is inserted into a mold that is designed toproduce sleeve 60 as a molded plastic part. With the housing 24 in themold, and the mold closed, molten plastic is injected into the moldcavity to form the sleeve 60. A portion of this molten plastic fills inthe slots 146 as well as surrounds the entire flange 90 and a portion ofthe outside upper section 148 of the housing 24. After the moltenplastic fully fills the cavity in the mold, it cools until it becomessolid. The result is a single part that is made up of the housing 24 andthe sleeve 60 locked together (FIG. 31) at the flange 90 and the slots146, such that the two parts cannot move either axially orcircumferentially relative to each other. The interface between theflange 90 and the sleeve 60 is leak-tight and does not require anadditional seal.

6. The Embodiment of FIGS. 32-40

In this embodiment, the surrounding wall 26 includes a plurality offlanges 152 (FIG. 37) extending radially outwardly from adjacent theopen mouth 30. The first rim 88 of the sleeve 60 engages against theflanges 152. In this embodiment, the sleeve 60 includes a plurality oframped tabs 156 extending axially between the flanges 152.

A locking collar 156 is provided. The locking collar 156 defines aplurality of slots 158, and the locking collar 156 is oriented withinthe surrounding wall 26 with the ramped tabs 154 being received withinand snapped over the slots 158 in the locking collar 156. The outsidediameter of the tabs 154 is slightly larger than the outside diameter ofthe slots 158. As the tabs 154 are inserted into the slots 158, theramps on each of the tabs 154 cause the tabs 154 to deflect radiallyinwardly, allowing an upper portion of the tabs 154 to completely passthrough a respective one of the slots 158. After passing through theslot 158, each tab 154 returns to its original shape. A hook 160 (FIG.40) on the tabs 154 will catch on a surface 162 (FIG. 38) of the slot158 in the locking collar 156, preventing the locking collar fromseparating from the sleeve 60. The flanges 152 are now trapped betweenthe locking collar 156 and the sleeve 60, and all three componentscannot move relative to each other axially or circumferentially.

B. Methods

It should be understood that methods of making filter arrangement 20have been discussed above and can utilize the various arrangementsdescribed herein. In general, a method includes providing housing 24having surrounding wall 26 defining interior volume 28, an open mouth 30providing access to the interior volume 28 and an end 32 opposite of theopen mouth 30. The method includes orienting filter media construction36 within the interior volume 28. The method further includes orientingsleeve 60 distinct from the housing 60 distinct from the housing, aroundthe exterior wall 26 adjacent to the mouth 30 and extending partiallyalong the surrounding wall 26. The exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 definesmounting threads 70 constructed and arranged to removably mount with thefilter head 22, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filterhead 22. The interior 68 of the sleeve 60 is against the exterior 66 ofthe surrounding wall 26. Next, the method includes securing the sleeve60 to the housing 24, and then providing first seal member 72 againstthe sleeve 60 to create the seal with the filter head 22.

The step of securing can include crimping tabs on the housing 24 intoslots 92 in the sleeve 60. The step of securing can also include bendingtabs 82 on the housing 24 into slots 92 in the sleeve 60.

The step of securing can include snuggly aligning a non-round housing 24having at least one curved segment 118 and at least one straight segment120 with a same shaped non-round sleeve 60.

The step of securing can include an inward projection 136 on the sleeve60 onto a groove 138 in the surrounding wall 26; orienting the collar124 having radial ring 140 within the open mouth 40 of the housing 24and engaging the radial ring 140 against shoulder 128 of the surroundingwall 26; bending the surrounding wall 26 radially inwardly over theradial ring of the collar 124; and aligning radial protrusions 130 ofthe surrounding wall 26 with reliefs 132 in the sleeve 60.

The step of securing can include injection molding the sleeve 60 aroundthe housing 24 to provide at least a portion of the sleeve 60 to bemolded within slots 146 of flange 90 extending from a portion of thesurrounding wall 26 adjacent to the open mouth 30.

The step of securing can include using flanges 152 extending radiallyoutwardly from the open mouth 30, using ramped tabs 154 extendingoutwardly from the sleeve 60 between the flanges 152, and using lockingcollar 156 defining slots 158, so that the locking collar 156 isoriented within the surrounding wall 26 with the ramped tabs 154 beingreceived within and snapped over the slots 158 in the locking collar156.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter arrangement for threadably securing to afilter head, the filter arrangement comprising: (a) a housing having asurrounding wall defining an interior volume, an opening providingaccess to the interior volume, and a closed end; the opening being at anupper portion of the filter arrangement and the closed end being at abottom portion of the filter arrangement when oriented in a firstposition; the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior; (ii)the surrounding wall having a lip extending radially outward fromadjacent the opening; (b) a filter media construction operably heldwithin the interior volume; (c) a first end cap secured to the filtermedia construction in the upper portion of the filter arrangement; (i)the first end cap having a radial groove; (ii) a seal ring positioned inthe radial groove of the first end cap; (iii) the first end capincluding an end cap structure oriented against the interior of thesurrounding wall; (c) a sleeve, distinct from the housing, secured tothe exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing opening andextending partially along the surrounding wall in the upper portion ofthe filter arrangement; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior;(i) the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed andarranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filterarrangement is secured to the filter head; (ii) the interior of thesleeve being against the exterior of the surrounding wall; (iii) thesleeve interior having a first section with a first diameter and asecond section with a second diameter; the second diameter being largerthan the first diameter to form a shoulder therebetween; (A) an upperend of the first end cap being above the shoulder, when the filterarrangement is oriented in the first position with the housing openingbeing at the upper portion and the housing closed end being at thebottom portion; (B) the shoulder being positioned relative to themounting threads such that at least one mounting thread is above theshoulder and at least one mounting thread is below the shoulder, whenthe filter arrangement is oriented in the first position; (iv) thehousing lip being retained by the sleeve to trap the housing in place;and (d) an outward radially extending seal member oriented outside ofthe housing interior and above the mounting threads to create a sealwith a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filterhead; and (i) wherein the outward radially extending seal member is theonly seal member oriented outside of the housing interior.
 2. The filterarrangement of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is a molded part.
 3. Thefilter arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is an injection-moldedpart.
 4. The filter arrangement of claim 1 wherein the filter mediaconstruction includes pleated media arranged in a cylindrical form todefine an open filter interior.
 5. The filter arrangement of claim 1wherein the outward radially extending seal member is located radiallyinward of an outermost diameter of the mounting threads.
 6. The filterarrangement of claim 1 wherein the housing lip is embedded in the sleevewith portions of the sleeve surrounding the lip.
 7. The filterarrangement of claim 6 wherein the housing lip defines a plurality ofaxial through-slots; and portions of the sleeve penetrate thethrough-slots.
 8. The filter arrangement of claim 1 wherein the exteriorof the sleeve defines a radial groove holding the outward radiallyextending seal member.
 9. The filter arrangement of claim 1 wherein theupper end of the first end cap is within the interior volume of thehousing.
 10. The filter arrangement of claim 1 wherein the upper end ofthe first end cap is below the opening of the housing.
 11. A filterarrangement for threadably securing to a filter head, the filterarrangement comprising: (a) a housing having a surrounding wall definingan interior volume, an opening providing access to the interior volume,and a closed end; the opening being at an upper portion of the filterarrangement and the closed end being at a bottom portion of the filterarrangement when oriented in a first position; (i) the surrounding wallhaving an exterior and an interior; (ii) the surrounding wall having alip portion extending radially outward from adjacent the opening; (b) afilter media construction operably held within the interior volume; (c)a first end cap secured to the filter media construction in the upperportion of the filter arrangement; (i) the first end cap having a radialgroove; (ii) a seal ring positioned in the radial groove of the firstend cap; (d) a separate sleeve distinct from the housing secured to theexterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing opening andextending partially along the surrounding wall; the sleeve having anupper end, an exterior, and an interior; (i) the interior of the sleevebeing against the exterior of the surrounding wall; (ii) the housing lipportion extending over the upper end of the sleeve; (iii) the interiorof the sleeve defining a seal gland holding a seal gland member forminga radial seal between and against the sleeve and the exterior of thesurrounding wall; (c) a first seal member oriented outside of thesurrounding wall to create a seal with a filter head, when the filterarrangement is secured to the filter head; and (d) mounting threadsoutside of the surrounding wall constructed and arranged to removablymount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured tothe filter head.
 12. The filter arrangement of claim 11 wherein thesleeve is a molded part.
 13. The filter arrangement of claim 11 whereinthe filter media construction includes pleated media arranged in acylindrical form to define an open filter interior.
 14. The filterarrangement of claim 11 wherein the lip portion includes a plurality oftabs extending radially outwardly from the surrounding wall at theopening.
 15. The filter arrangement of claim 11 wherein the upper end ofthe sleeve comprises a rim adjacent the opening.
 16. The filterarrangement of claim 14 wherein: (a) the upper end of the sleevecomprises a rim defining a plurality of slots, each slot in theplurality of slots receiving one of the tabs; and (b) the sleeve issecured to the housing by the tabs being formed over the slots.
 17. Afilter arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the tabs are in afolded position relative to the slots.
 18. The filter arrangement ofclaim 11 wherein the exterior of the sleeve defines a radial grooveholding the first seal member.
 19. The filter arrangement of claim 11wherein the upper end of the first end cap is within the interior volumeof the housing.
 20. The filter arrangement of claim 11 wherein the upperend of the first end cap is below the opening of the housing.